Question 1

why do some people need kidney transplants?

Accepted Answer

Kidneys not working.: When kidneys can no longer do their work effectively, i.e., remove extra fluids and toxins from the body, their function must be taken over - or a person will die. Dialysis is an option, but transplant is usually the most effective treatment. One problem is that there are many more people who NEED kidney transplants than there are available kidneys. LGromkoMD

Question 2

how do the programs that matches people that need kidney transplants with living donors work?

Accepted Answer

Computer programs: Specific computer programs are available to input donor and recipient characteristics and they are used to find the best match in "paired exchage" living donor programs.  Also people can be direct matches and this is done by blood tests alone.

Question 3

how are kidney transplants done?

Accepted Answer

Kidney transplant: Once the kidney is removed from the donor eithe living or cadaver, the kidney is placed through a lower abdominal incision iusually into the right side of the pelvis and attached the iliac vein and artery and ureter implanted into the bladder.

Question 4

how common are kidney transplants?

Accepted Answer

~17,000 a year in US: In 2013, there were 16,895 kidney transplants in the U.S.  About 11,000 of them were deceased donor kidney transplants; the rest were living donor transplants.

Question 5

what is the success rate of kidney transplants?

Accepted Answer

Well,: Kidney transplant success rates vary greatly across transplant centers. The average 5 year survival rate is 80-90%, .

Question 6

how old is too old to have a kidney transplanted?

Accepted Answer

No one is too old: In my honest opinion, no one is too old to have a kidney transplant so long as it is medically and surgically indicated and they had pre-operative medical and surgical clearance by their specialist. I would refer you to our healthtap specialist or renal transplant team of specialists to confirm my opinion. My practice is limited to surgery and self-healing meditation to treat cancers.

Question 7

how dangerous is it to have a kidney transplanted?

Accepted Answer

Surgery has risks: All surgeries are potentially serious. A kidney transplant has significant risks but the benefits usually outweigh the risks.

Question 8

how many kidney transplants are actually successful?

Accepted Answer

Kidney Tx success: ~ 95 - 98%.

Question 9

can kidney transplants take place in small children?

Accepted Answer

Over 40 lbs or so: Fortunately, not many small children develop chronic kidney failure and require transplants. However, once they reach a minimum size of approximately 40 lbs, they are candidates for a transplant. The adult sized kidney is placed in the abdomen (if a woman's belly can stretch to hold a 9 month pregnancy, a child's belly can stretch to hold the kidney). Results are usually excellent.

Question 10

are there any other options besides transplanting a kidney?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Dialysis is the other option instead of kidney transplant.

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Wealthy people who need kidney transplants

A member asked:

Why do some people need kidney transplants?

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How do the programs that matches people that need kidney transplants with living donors work?

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How are kidney transplants done?

A member asked:

How common are kidney transplants?

A member asked:

What is the success rate of kidney transplants?

A member asked:

How old is too old to have a kidney transplanted?

A member asked:

How dangerous is it to have a kidney transplanted?

A member asked:

How many kidney transplants are actually successful?

A member asked:

Can kidney transplants take place in small children?

A member asked:

Are there any other options besides transplanting a kidney?

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